Day 16: Valencia held on to their lead at the top thanks once again to a late goal by Carew, this time against Bilbao, who had taken the lead through Urrutia in the first half. Carew's celebrations were cut short though by referee Pérez Burrull, who showed him a second yellow card for over-celebrating and sent him off. The point only keeps Valencia ahead of Real Madrid on goal average though. The European champions clocked up their sixth win in a row, 3-1 against neighbours Rayo Vallecano, with European player of the year Figo and then Iván Helguera scoring in the first half, and Raúl adding a spectacular third after the break before Michel pulled one back. Deportivo moved to within a point of the top two with a 3-0 victory over Oviedo, who incredibly have still not scored away from home this season. Djalminha came back from a two match suspension to score twice and Makaay got the other. Barcelona almost threw away a three goal lead over Alavés but held on to win 3-2, with two from Rivaldo and one from Kluivert. Javi Moreno got one back from the penalty spot and Magno got the second after missing a sitter earlier on. Barça go fourth, and Mallorca rise to fifth after beating Espanyol 3-2 with a late rocket from Eto'o. Down at the bottom, Real Sociedad sank further after losing 3-0 to Málaga, and Paqui scored in injury time for Las Palmas to win their game 3-2 and send their opponents Osasuna back down to next to last. Numancia climbed out of the relegation zone after beating Celta 4-2, with two goals from Caco Morán, going ahead of Racing Santander, who drew 2-2 with Valladolid. Racing were leading 2-1, with a goal from debutant Mazzoni, before Lemmens gave away a penalty and got sent off near the end. In the day's other match, a late goal from José Ignacio gave Zaragoza a 1-1 draw at Villarreal. (20.12.00)